Spreading Awareness

This past summer, Emily and I visited Puerto Lopez (a hotspot for giant manta rays) with the goal of sparking more awareness about mantas and ocean pollution. This took us to an elementary school in a small village close by.

While teaching the students about giant manta rays and how unique their town is, as it is the place with the largest population of mantas in the world, I could see their eyes grow wide with surprise and wonder. I realized that these kids knew very little about the animals in the ocean next to their home. It had never occured to them that something so extremely rare and awe-inspiring was so close. We were peppered with questions like whether either of us had seen a giant manta ray before and if they could see one themselves. During the coloring activity, many kids came up to show me their drawings of mantas and ask me more questions about them.

Teaching these kids about the unique animals that migrate to where they live was a moving experience. I could see their interest and amazement, and I know that I will visit again soon.

The kids and their beautiful drawings